Iconic Broadway Costumes Debut in Immersive Chicago Museum Exhibit

In January 2026, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago will host a groundbreaking exhibit showcasing the work of renowned costume designer Paul Tazewell. Titled "Crafting Character: The Costumes of Paul Tazewell," the display will be the first of its kind dedicated to Tazewell's acclaimed designs for Broadway productions and Hollywood films.

Visitors will be treated to an immersive, multimedia experience that pulls back the curtain on Tazewell's creative process. The exhibit will feature a range of his costumes, including Glinda's pink bubble dress and Elphaba's Emerald City gown from "Wicked," as well as the Schuyler sisters' winter ball gowns and King George's outfit from the original Broadway run of "Hamilton." Tazewell's work for the recent "West Side Story" film adaptation, such as Ariana Debose's iconic yellow dress, will also be on display.

Tazewell, who won a Tony Award for his "Hamilton" costume design, will guide visitors through the exhibit with his own narration and behind-the-scenes video, photos, and sketches. This unique approach aims to showcase how Tazewell's imagination transforms into the reality seen on stage and screen.

"At Griffin MSI, we believe that if you can see it, you can be it, and Paul and his work are a shining example of that notion," said Dr. Chevy Humphrey, the museum's CEO and President. "Through this exhibition and his personal story, he shows how imagination can become reality."